Intelligent weapon

ABSTRACT

A system for monitoring use of a weapon. The system includes a monitoring station and at least one weapon in which the weapon fires a projectile. The weapon includes a tracking device, in which the tracking device receives navigational data, and a transceiver. The transceiver transmits at least the navigational data to the monitoring station. The weapon can further include a biometric identifier for identifying a user and a trigger mechanism in which the biometric identifier can enable the trigger mechanism only when the biometric identifier identifies an authorized user. In one arrangement, the tracking device can be a global positioning system receiver that can receive navigational data from a plurality of global positioning system satellites.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

(Not Applicable)

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to weapons systems and moreparticularly, to the tracking of weapons.

2. Description of Related Art

Gun control has become an important issue in today's society. There arefar too many instances in which deranged individuals wreak havoc byshooting innocent victims. Even more distressing, such shootings,particularly those done at random, are difficult to solve and strikefear into our nation's citizens. In response, several legislatures haveenacted laws and regulations in an effort to prevent unauthorizedpersons from obtaining firearms.

For example, in 1993, the U.S. Congress passed and the President signedinto law the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. Commonly referred toas the Brady Bill, this legislation established a national system ofbackground checks and waiting periods for individuals purchasing gunsfrom federally licensed firearms dealers. Primarily designed to preventconvicted felons from obtaining guns and to provide purchasers with a“cooling off” period, the Brady Bill has been somewhat successful inpreventing gun violence. Other initiatives have been advanced to furthercontrol access to firearms including requiring gun owners to place lockson their guns to eliminate accidental shootings.

Nevertheless, many proponents of gun control remain convinced that it istoo easy to obtain a firearm in this country. As an example, thesepeople argue that the Brady Bill has several loopholes in that it doesnot apply to gun shows and that nothing is in place to prevent guns frombeing purchased over the black market or simply stolen from a legalowner and later used to further criminal activity. Indeed, once a gun isacquired (illegally or even legally), presently there is no way to stopthe weapon from being used or to monitor the weapon to help lawenforcement officials solve any subsequent crimes committed by a personin possession of the firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for monitoring use of a weapon in accordancewith the inventive arrangements.

FIG. 2 illustrates a weapon in accordance with the inventivearrangements.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of several components of the weaponand system of FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with the inventivearrangements.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a biometric identifier in accordancewith the inventive arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a system for monitoring use of a weapon.The weapon includes a monitoring station and at least one weapon inwhich the weapon fires a projectile and includes a tracking device thatreceives navigational. The weapon also has a transceiver that transmitsat least the navigational data to the monitoring station. In onearrangement, the weapon can include a biometric identifier foridentifying a user and a trigger mechanism in which the biometricidentifier can enable the trigger mechanism only when the biometricidentifier identifies an authorized user.

The tracking device can be a global positioning system receiver that canreceive navigational data from a plurality of global positioning systemsatellites. As an example, the navigational data can include globalpositioning system coordinates in which the coordinates can include atleast a latitude coordinate, a longitude coordinate and an altitudecoordinate. In another arrangement, the transceiver can transmitidentifying information to the monitoring station, and the identifyinginformation can include at least one of a name, an address and aphysical description of a user of the weapon.

The weapon can also have a trigger mechanism, and the transceiver canreceive a disabling signal for disabling the trigger mechanism. Thedisabling signal can be selectively transmitted from the monitoringstation. In one embodiment, the trigger mechanism can include a trigger,and the disabling signal can disable the trigger mechanism by causingthe trigger to be immobilized. Additionally, the trigger mechanism caninclude a latch in which the latch can immobilize the trigger byselectively engaging the trigger.

In one aspect of the invention, the weapon can further contain a camerafor producing at least one of an audio and a video segment. The cameracan be activated when the weapon fires a projectile, and the transceivercan transmit at least one of the audio and video segments to themonitoring station. In another aspect, the weapon can have at least onesensor mechanism in which the sensor mechanism can detect when theweapon fires a projectile and can generate a signal containing dataindicating that the weapon has fired a projectile and when the weaponfired the projectile. The transceiver can transmit this signal to themonitoring station, and the at least one sensor mechanism can include asonic sensor. The weapon can further have a trigger mechanism having atrigger, and the at least one sensor mechanism can be electricallycoupled to the trigger and the sensor mechanism can generates the signalwhen the trigger is pulled.

In another arrangement, the biometric identifier can be a fingerprintverification device having a memory for storing digitized fingerprintimages. The fingerprint verification device can generate digitizedimages of fingerprints and can compare the generated images with thefingerprint images stored in the memory to authorize use of the weapon.Moreover, the fingerprint verification device can have at least onefingerprint scanner on a handle of the weapon. The trigger mechanism canhave a trigger and a latch selectively engageable with the trigger, andthe biometric identifier can cause the latch to disengage the triggerwhen the biometric identifier identifies the authorized user. In anotheraspect, the weapon can include at least one sensor mechanism and atrigger mechanism in which the trigger mechanism can have a trigger andthe sensor mechanism can have a pressure switch located on the trigger.The sensor mechanism can generate a signal when a user places a fingeron the pressure switch on the trigger.

The present invention also concerns an intelligent weapon for firing aprojectile. The weapon includes a tracking device in which the trackingdevice receives navigational data and a transceiver. The transceivertransmits at least the navigational data to a monitoring station. Theintelligent weapon also contains several of the components listed aboveregarding the system for monitoring use of a weapon and interacts withone or more of the mechanisms described above as well.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 for monitoring use of a weapon isshown. The system 100 can include at least one monitoring station 110and at least one weapon 112. As an example, the weapon 112 can be anydevice that can fire a projectile, such as a firearm. The weapon 112 caninclude a tracking device 114 that can receive navigational data and atransceiver 116 that can transmit at least the navigational data to themonitoring station 110. In one arrangement, the transceiver 116 cantransmit such data to the monitoring station 110 over a wirelesscommunications link 118. This wireless communications link 118 can beany suitable link for transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals from thetransceiver 116 to the monitoring station 110 and vice-versa. Forpurposes of the invention, an RF signal can be any signal that can bewirelessly propagated through a suitable medium. The monitoring station110 can also include a transceiver 117 for transmitting signals over thewireless communications link 118 to the transceiver 116 of the weapon112.

In one arrangement, the tracking device 114 of the weapon 112 can be aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver that can receive thenavigational data from a plurality of GPS satellites 120. The GPSsatellites 120 can communicate with the tracking device 114 of theweapon 112 over a satellite communications link 122, which can be anylink suitable for broadcasting RF signals from the GPS satellites 120 tothe tracking device 114. Of course, this satellite communications link122 can also be used to transmit signals from the GPS satellites 120 tothe monitoring station 110 and vice-versa or from the tracking device114 to the GPS satellites 120.

The navigational data can include GPS coordinates such as a latitudecoordinate, a longitude coordinate and an altitude coordinate. As notedearlier, the transceiver 116 of the weapon 112 can transmit thisnavigational data to the monitoring station 110, which can use thesecoordinates to track the location of the weapon 112. Those of ordinaryskill in the art, however, will appreciate that any other device orsystem suitable for providing location information to the trackingdevice 114 of the weapon 112 and capable of being forwarded to themonitoring station 110 can be used with the system 100.

In one particular arrangement, the system 100 can employ differentialGPS to produce more accurate readings. As is known in the art,differential GPS technology relies on a stationary GPS receiver withknown GPS coordinates for correcting errors in the transmissions fromGPS satellites to other stationary or mobile targets containing GPStracking devices. As an example, a differential tracking device 124 canbe built into the monitoring station 110 and can receive signals fromthe GPS satellites 120 over the satellite communications link 122. Thedifferential tracking device 124, because its GPS coordinates havepreviously been accurately measured, can generate an error correctionfactor that can be used to error correct the transmissions from the GPSsatellites 120. The error correction factor can be transmitted from thetransceiver 117 of the monitoring station 110 to the transceiver 116 ofthe weapon 112 over the wireless communications link 118 to produce amore accurate reading of the GPS coordinates of the weapon 112.

It is understood, however, that the differential tracking device 124 isnot limited to being positioned at the monitoring station 110, as anynumber of differential tracking devices 124 can be placed at othersuitable locations (as also illustrated in FIG. 1). Moreover, the system100 can be designed to rely on pre-existing differential trackingdevices 124 constructed by, for example, a governmental agency.Nevertheless, the use of differential GPS is not a requirement of theinvention; in fact, it must be stressed that the invention is notlimited to tracking a weapon 112 through the use of GPS technology, asany other technique for locating the weapon 112 can be practiced withthe invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, an example of a weapon 112 for use with the system100 is illustrated. As an example, the weapon 112 can be asemi-automatic pistol that can fire any suitable number of projectilesor bullets. It is understood, however, that this illustration is merelyone example of a weapon in accordance with the inventive arrangementsand should not be construed to limit the invention. For example, theweapon 112 can also be a “stun gun,” a gun used to incapacitate personsthrough an electrical charge. In this example, the transmitted electronscan be considered projectiles. In one arrangement, the tracking device114 and the transceiver 116 can be located in a handle 126 of the weapon112; these components can also be positioned in other suitable locationson the weapon 112.

A portion of the weapon 112 is cut away to show a section of the weapon112 typically covered by an outer shell 129 of the weapon 112. As shown,the weapon 112 can include a trigger mechanism 128. The triggermechanism 128 can include a trigger 130 and a latch 132 that canselectively engage the trigger 130. For purposes of clarity, only aportion of the trigger 130 is illustrated. As an example, the latch 132can have an elongated shape, and the trigger 130 can include a slot 134that can receive at least a portion of the latch 132. In onearrangement, the latch 132 can be part of a solenoid 136 and can engageor disengage the trigger 130 through the slot 134 when the solenoid 136receives a signal. Circumstances that would initiate a latch engaging ordisengaging are discussed below.

If the latch 132 engages the trigger 130 through the slot 134, the latch132 can immobilize the trigger 130, and a user will be unable tosufficiently pull the trigger 130 to cause the weapon 112 to fire aprojectile. Conversely, if the latch 132 disengages the trigger 130 (bybeing removed from the slot 134), the trigger 130 is no longerimmobilized, and the user would be free to fire the weapon 112. Those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above-describedconfiguration is merely one example of how to selectively engage theweapon 112, as any other suitable mechanism can be used to do so. Forexample, the weapon 112 can include a safety lever 138, a componenttypically located on many firearms, in which the safety lever 138 can beselectively controlled through the use of the solenoid 136.

The weapon 112 can also include a biometric identifier 140. Thebiometric identifier 140 can be used to measure at least one biometriccharacteristic of a user. Implementing a biometric identifier 140 intothe weapon 112 can prevent unauthorized use of the weapon 112. As anexample, the biometric identifier 140 can be a fingerprint verificationdevice 142 having at least one fingerprint scanner 144. In oneparticular embodiment and as shown in FIG. 2, the fingerprint scanner144 can be located on the handle 126 of the weapon 112 to maximizeconvenience to the user. To easily accommodate right or left-handedusers, a fingerprint scanner 144 can be placed on either side of thehandle 126. Of course, the invention is not so limited, as thefingerprint scanner 144 can be located at any other suitable position onthe weapon 112.

It is also important to note that the biometric identifier 140 is notlimited to verifying a user's fingerprint. As such, the biometricidentifier 140 can be a device that can analyze other suitable biometricmeasurements such as (but not limited to) a retinal scan, an iris scanor voice recognition. An example of a biometric identifier 140 inaccordance with the inventive arrangements will be described below. Inanother arrangement, the weapon 112 can include at least one sensormechanism 148. The sensor mechanism 148 can detect when the weapon 112fires a projectile and can generate a signal containing data thatindicates that the weapon 112 has fired such a projectile and at whattime the projectile was fired. Examples of a sensor mechanism 148 inaccordance with the inventive arrangements will be described below.

The weapon 112 can also include a camera 150 that can produce an audiosegment, a video segment or a combination of the two. Although FIG. 2illustrates the camera 150 as being disposed near the front of theweapon 112 below a barrel 152 of the weapon 112, the invention is notlimited to this particular configuration, as the camera 150 can bepositioned at any other suitable location on the weapon 112. In oneembodiment, the camera 150 can be activated when the weapon 112 fires aprojectile or when a user places his or her finger on the trigger 130,at which time the camera 150 can begin to produce segments of audioand/or video. The transceiver 116 of the weapon 112 can subsequentlytransmit these segments of audio and/or video to the monitoring station110 (see FIG. 1).

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating a number of thecomponents of the weapon 112 (represented by the dashed outline)described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown. In addition to each ofthe previously discussed elements, the weapon 112 can have a centralmicroprocessor 154 for controlling the operation of the components ofthe weapon 112. Specifically, the weapon 112 can include control anddata interfaces for permitting the central microprocessor 154 to controlthe operation of the tracking device 114, the transceiver 116, thebiometric identifier 140, the solenoid 136, the sensor mechanism 148 andthe camera 150. In addition, suitable software or firmware can beprovided in memory for the conventional operations performed by thecentral microprocessor 154; program routines can also be provided forthe central microprocessor 154 in accordance with the inventivearrangements.

As noted earlier, the tracking device 114 can receive navigational datafrom, for example, GPS satellites 120 over the satellite communicationslink 122 and can forward the navigational data to the centralmicroprocessor 154. In accordance with GPS technology, the GPSsatellites 120 can continuously update the navigational data, which canbe particularly useful if the weapon 112 is in transit. The centralmicroprocessor 154 can instruct the transceiver 116 to transmit thisnavigational data to the transceiver 117 of the monitoring station 110over the wireless communications link 118. The monitoring station 110can have at least one display 156 for displaying this navigational datathereby permitting an operator or a computer at the monitoring station110 to track the whereabouts of the weapon 112.

As discussed earlier, the latch 132 may be engaged with the slot 134 ofthe trigger 130, which can immobilize the trigger 130. For convenience,only a portion of the trigger 130 of the trigger mechanism 128 is shown.Although FIG. 3 implements the trigger 130 as shown in FIG. 2, it isimportant to note that the term “trigger” is not limited to aconventional firearm trigger commonly found on many guns. The term“trigger” can include any device, component or circuit capable ofcausing a weapon to fire a projectile.

If an authorized user wishes to use the weapon 112, the user can providea biometric sample, such as a fingerprint, to the biometric identifier140. The biometric identifier 140 can analyze the biometric sample todetermine whether the user is an authorized user. If the user is anauthorized user, the biometric identifier 140 can signal the centralmicroprocessor 154, which in turn can signal the solenoid 136. Whenactivated, the solenoid 136 can cause the latch 132 to disengage theslot 134 of the trigger 130, which can permit the trigger 130 to be“pulled” for purposes of firing a projectile. Conversely, if thebiometric identifier 140 does not recognize the provided biometricsample, no signal is forwarded to the solenoid 136, and the trigger 130can remain immobilized.

The sensor mechanism 148 can determine whether and when the weapon 112has fired a projectile. In one arrangement, the sensor mechanism 148 caninclude at least two electrical contacts 158, 160. Electrical contact158 can be positioned on the trigger 130 of the weapon 112 andelectrically coupled to a controller 162 of the sensor mechanism 148;electrical contact 160 can be positioned behind the electrical contact158 and electrically coupled to the controller 162 as well. Thecontroller 162 can have a clock (not shown) for generating time stamps.

If a user is authorized to use the weapon 112, i.e., the trigger 130 isnot immobilized, when the trigger 130 is pulled far enough to fire aprojectile, the electrical contact 158 on the trigger 130 can contactthe electrical contact 160, which can, at least temporarily, create aclosed circuit between the electrical contacts 158, 160, theirelectrical couplings and the controller 162. In response, the controller162 can generate a signal containing data indicating that the weapon 112has fired a projectile and can insert into this signal a time stamp fromthe clock indicating when the projectile was fired. The controller 162can forward the signal to the central microprocessor 154, which caninstruct the transceiver 116 to forward the information in the signal tothe transceiver 117 of the monitoring station 110 over the wirelesscommunications link 118. Similar to the navigational data, theinformation indicating that the weapon 112 has fired a projectile andthe time that the projectile was fired can be displayed on the display156 of the monitoring station 110.

The electrical contacts 158, 160, as shown in FIG. 3, can be spacedapart at a distance that would require a user to pull the trigger 130far enough to fire a projectile to generate the signal to be forwardedto the central microprocessor 154. Nevertheless, the electrical contacts158, 160 can be spaced apart at other suitable distances; specifically,this distance is not limited to a space expansive enough to cause theweapon 112 to discharge a projectile before a signal is generated by theclosing of the circuit containing these contacts 158, 160.

In an alternative arrangement, the sensor mechanism 148 can include apressure switch 164 positioned on the trigger 130 and electricallycoupled to the controller 162. In one arrangement, the pressure switch164 can be located on the trigger 130 such that a user's finger willcontact the pressure switch 164 when the user places his or her fingeron the trigger 130. The pressure switch 164 can detect this contact andcan signal the controller 162 of the sensor mechanism 148. Thecontroller 162 can signal the central microprocessor 154 and as anoption, can attach to this signal a time stamp from its clock. Thecentral microprocessor 154 can instruct the transceiver 116 to transmitthis information to the transceiver 117 of the monitoring station 110over the wireless communications link 118, and the information can beshown on the display 156. Thus, a party at the monitoring station 110can be aware that a user in possession of the weapon 112 has placed hisor her finger on the trigger 130 in preparation of possibly firing theweapon 112.

In addition to the previous two examples, the sensor mechanism 148 canalso include a microphone 166 for detecting when the weapon 112 fires aprojectile. The microphone 166 can capture the sound of the weapon 112firing and can convert this sound into an electrical signal. Themicrophone 166 can forward this signal to the controller 162, which inturn can add to the signal a time stamp from its clock and can send thesignal to the central microprocessor 154. As known in the art, thesensor mechanism 148 can include a filtering circuit (not shown)programmed to recognize the digital signature of the distinct sound thatthe weapon 112 produces when fired. Such a design can help eliminatefalse signals that may otherwise be misinterpreted as an indication thatthe weapon 112 has discharged a projectile.

Similar to the signals generated by the electrical contacts 158, 160 andthe pressure switch 164, the central microprocessor 154 can instruct thetransceiver 116 to transmit to the monitoring station 110 (over thewireless communications link 118) the information contained in thesignal produced by the microphone 166. Those of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that the sensor mechanism 148 is not necessarilylimited to either of the above-described examples, as any othercomponent capable of determining that the weapon 112 has fired aprojectile (and optionally at what time the weapon was fired) can beimplemented into the invention. Of course, the use of a sensor mechanism148 is not required to practice the invention.

The camera 150 can produce segments of audio or video or a combinationthereof. For purposes of the invention, the term “video” can includestreaming video or a series of discrete photographs similar to thoseimages produced by a digital camera. Thus, the camera 150 can be anycamera capable of producing such video and because this technology iswell known, a detailed explanation of this particular component isunnecessary. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the camera 150can include a microphone 168 for capturing sound and converting thesound into electrical signals. It is also understood that the camera 150can include a suitable encoding mechanism (not shown) for compressingany video and audio produced by the camera 150.

Once compressed, the video and/or audio can be fed to the transceiver116, and the central microprocessor 154 can instruct the transceiver 116to transmit the video and/or audio to the transceiver 117 of themonitoring station 110 over the wireless communications link 118. Asthose of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the transceiver 116can contain suitable circuitry for permitting the transmission of thevideo and/or audio over the wireless communications link 118. Oncereceived, the segments of video and/or audio can be shown or broadcastover the display 156 of the monitoring station 110. As such, an operatorat the monitoring station 110 can view images and listen to soundsassociated with the environment in which the weapon 112 currently sitsor is being handled.

The invention envisions several different scenarios for activating thecamera 150. For example, the camera 150 can be activated at all timessuch that the weapon 112 is constantly transmitting video and/or audioto the monitoring station 110. Alternatively, the central microprocessor154 can be programmed to activate the camera 150 at predeterminedintervals, which can permit an operator to check the status of theweapon 112 through the generated video/audio segments at such intervals.In another arrangement, an activation signal can be transmitted from thetransceiver 117 of the monitoring station 110 to the transceiver 116 ofthe weapon 112 over the wireless communications link 118. Once itreceives this signal, the transceiver 116 can signal the centralmicroprocessor 154, which can subsequently signal, and thereby activate,the camera 150 to begin producing segments of video and/or audio. Thisactivation signal transmitted from the monitoring station 110 can besent at any time, and the transmission can even be in accordance with apredetermined interval.

The camera 150 can also be activated based on the signals generated bythe sensor mechanism 148. For example, if the sensor mechanism 148generates a signal based on the completion of the circuit including theelectrical contacts 158, 160 when the trigger 130 is pulled, the centralmicroprocessor 154 can signal the camera 150 to begin producing videoand/or audio. In addition, the central microprocessor 154 can signal thecamera 150 in response to the central microprocessor's 154 receipt ofthe signals created by the sensor mechanism 148 through the pressureswitch 164 or the microphone 166. It is understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to any of the above examples, as any othersuitable mechanism for activating the camera 150 can be practiced withthe invention.

In one arrangement, a disabling signal can be transmitted from themonitoring station 110 for remotely disabling the trigger mechanism 128.Specifically, the disabling signal can be sent from the transceiver 117of the monitoring station 110 to the transceiver 116 of the weapon 112over the wireless communications link 118. The signal can then beforwarded to the central microprocessor 154, which, in response, cansignal the solenoid 136. This signal can energize the solenoid 136thereby causing the latch 132 to engage the slot 134 of the trigger 130.As explained earlier, this process can immobilize the trigger 130thereby disabling the trigger mechanism 128. If desired, the centralmicroprocessor 154 can be programmed to grant this disabling signal withpriority over any other signals processed by the central microprocessor154.

The weapon 112 can also include a power supply 170. Although noconnections are shown in FIG. 3 for purposes of convenience, the powersupply 170 can supply power to the tracking device 114, the transceiver116, the biometric identifier 140, the sensor mechanism 148, the camera150, the central microprocessor 154 and any other components related toeach of the above elements. In one arrangement, the power supply 170 cancomprise a set of disposable or rechargeable batteries. Of course, anyother suitable form of a portable power supply can be practiced with theinvention. The weapon 112 can also include a power indicator light (notshown) that can inform a user that the power supply 170 needs to bereplaced or recharged.

Referring to FIG. 4, one example of a biometric identifier 140 inaccordance with the inventive arrangements is shown. In this example andas explained above, the biometric identifier 140 can be a fingerprintverification device 142, which can be loaded with authorized, digitizedimages of fingerprints, can generate digitized images of fingerprintsand can compare the generated images with the stored, authorized imagesfor purposes of enabling the trigger mechanism 128 (see FIG. 3). Thefingerprint verification device 142 can include a biometricmicroprocessor 410 containing a memory 412, of which at least a portioncan be non-volatile, a platen 414, a light source 416, a fingerprintscanner 144 (see FIG. 2 also) and a pressure switch 420. In addition,the biometric microprocessor 410 can include a timer 422.

The fingerprint verification device 142 can also include a port 424coupled to the memory 412 of the biometric microprocessor 410. Throughthis port 424, digitized fingerprint images of authorized users can beuploaded into the memory 412 of the fingerprint verification device 142.As an example, fingerprint scanning devices can be located at lawenforcement agencies or authorized firearms dealers, who can verify thatthe individual whose fingerprint images are being generated for storageis permitted to own a weapon. Of course, other suitable individuals,agencies or organizations can be used to create fingerprint images forstorage in the memory 412 of the fingerprint verification device 142.

It is understood, however, that the invention is not so limited, as thefingerprint verification device 142 is not required to have a port forpermitting the uploading of authorized fingerprint images. For example,the biometric microprocessor 410 can be programmed to initiate anauthorizing step in which the fingerprint verification device 142 canpermit a user to generate the authorized images himself or herself. Sucha process would eliminate the need for any third parties to perform theauthorization step, and the user could enter into the memory 412 anysuitable number of approved fingerprint images.

The light source 416 can direct light towards the platen 414 and can be,for example, a light emitting diode. The platen 414 can also betransparent to the wavelength of the emitted light and can contain thepressure switch 420, which can be electrically coupled to the biometricmicroprocessor 410. The pressure switch 420 can detect when a user hasplaced his or her finger on the platen 414 and can signal the biometricmicroprocessor 410. In addition, the biometric microprocessor 410 cancontrol the operation of the light source 416 and the fingerprintscanner 144. The fingerprint scanner 144 can be any biometric devicecapable of scanning fingerprint images and converting these images intodigitized images.

In operation, a user can place his or her finger on the platen 414, andthe pressure switch 420 can signal the biometric microprocessor 410. Thebiometric microprocessor 410 can signal the fingerprint scanner 144 andthe light source 416, which can emit the light needed to create ascanned image of the user fingerprint. The light can pass through theplaten 414 and can strike the user's finger, which can cause the lightto be reflected to the fingerprint scanner 144.

From the reflected light, the fingerprint scanner 144 can generate ascanned image of the user's fingerprint and can convert the image into adigital signal. The fingerprint scanner 144 can forward this signal tothe biometric microprocessor 410, which can compare this generated imagewith the digitized images stored in the memory 412. The biometricmicroprocessor 410 can signal the central microprocessor 154 (see FIG.3) with the results of the comparison.

In particular, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, if the newly generatedfingerprint image matches an image stored in the memory 412, thebiometric microprocessor 410 can signal the central microprocessor 154,which can signal the solenoid 136 to energize thereby causing the latch132 to disengage the slot 134. As explained earlier, this process canenable the trigger mechanism 128 by permitting the trigger 130 to bepulled to fire the weapon 112. Conversely, if the generated image doesnot match an image stored in the memory 412, the biometricmicroprocessor 410 can signal the central microprocessor 154, which willnot signal the solenoid 136 for purposes of enabling the triggermechanism 128.

In another arrangement, as authorized fingerprint images are loaded intothe memory 412, the central microprocessor 154 can be programmed withcertain types of information related to the owner of the scannedfingerprint image. As an example, when a user has his or her fingerprintimages scanned and loaded into the memory 412, the centralmicroprocessor 154 can be programmed with identifying informationrelevant to that user. For instance, the information can include theuser's name, address and physical description. In addition, a digitizedphotograph of the user, compressed with any suitable compressiontechnique, can be transferred into the memory 412. It is understood,however, that the invention is not limited to these particular examples,as the central microprocessor 154 can be programmed with other suitabletypes of information concerning the user.

When the biometric microprocessor 410 determines that a scanned imagematches an image stored in the memory 412, the biometric microprocessor410 can signal the central microprocessor 154 with a coded signal thatcan instruct the central microprocessor 154 as to which authorizeduser(s) has provided a fingerprint image. In response, the centralmicroprocessor 154 can access the identifying information relevant tothe user and can instruct the transceiver 116 to transmit theinformation to the transceiver 117 of the monitoring station 110 overthe wireless communications link 118. This identifying information cansupplement the navigational data that is being transmitted to themonitoring station 110 or can be transmitted without the navigationaldata. When the identifying information is received at the monitoringstation 110, this information can be shown on the display 156. As such,an operator at the monitoring station 110 can determine who has enabledthe weapon 112 through the fingerprint verification device 142.

In another arrangement, the fingerprint verification device 142 canenable the trigger mechanism 128 for a limited time interval. Forexample, once the biometric microprocessor 410 determines that the useris an authorized user and signals the central microprocessor 154 toenable the trigger mechanism 128, the timer 422 can be used to limit theduration that the trigger mechanism 128 is enabled. Specifically, oncethe trigger mechanism 128 is enabled, the timer 422 can begin acountdown of a predetermined time interval. After the predetermined timeinterval is over, the timer 422 can signal the biometric microprocessor410, which can initiate another authorization step. If the user has kepthis or her finger on the platen 414 of the biometric identifier 140,another scanned image of the user's fingerprint can be created, and thebiometric microprocessor 410 can once again compare this image to thestored images in the memory 412. If there is a match, the triggermechanism 128 can remain enabled.

Conversely, if the user has removed his or her finger from the platen414 of the fingerprint verification device 142 and the predeterminedinterval has timed out, no image can be created, and the biometricmicroprocessor 410 can signal the central microprocessor 154. Thecentral microprocessor 154 can then signal the solenoid 136, which cancause the latch 132 to engage the slot of the trigger 130 and disablethe trigger mechanism 128. This same principle can apply if anunauthorized user has acquired the weapon 112 and has placed his or herfinger on the platen 414. The predetermined interval can be any suitableduration of time.

Although one example of a biometric identifier has been presented, it isimportant to note that the invention is in no way limited to thisparticular system. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat other systems suitable for measuring biometric characteristics canbe used. Examples of other suitable systems include retinal or irisscanners or voice recognition systems. In fact, the invention does notrequire the use of a biometric identifier, as the weapon 112 and thesystem 100 (see FIG. 1) can operate without such a device.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction withthe embodiments disclosed herein, it should be understood that theforegoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scopeof the invention as defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for monitoring use of a weapon,comprising: a monitoring station; and at least one weapon, wherein saidweapon fires a projectile; said weapon including a tracking device,wherein said tracking device receives navigational data and atransceiver, wherein said transceiver transmits at least saidnavigational data to said monitoring station; wherein said weaponfurther includes; a biometric identifier for identifying a user; and atrigger mechanism; wherein said biometric identifier enables saidtrigger mechanism only when said biometric identifier identifies anauthorized user.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein saidtracking device is a global positioning system receiver that receivesnavigational data from a plurality of global positioning systemsatellites.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein saidnavigational data comprises global positioning system coordinates,wherein said coordinates include at least a latitude coordinate, alongitude coordinate and an altitude coordinate.
 4. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein said weapon further comprises a trigger mechanism;wherein said transceiver receives a disabling signal for disabling saidtrigger mechanism; wherein said disabling signal is selectivelytransmitted from said monitoring station.
 5. The system according toclaim 4, wherein said trigger mechanism includes a trigger, wherein saiddisabling signal disables said trigger mechanism by causing said triggerto be immobilized.
 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein saidtrigger mechanism includes a latch; wherein said latch immobilizes saidtrigger by selectively engaging said trigger.
 7. The system according toclaim 1, wherein said weapon further comprises a camera for producing atleast one of an audio and a video segment; wherein said camera isactivated when said weapon fires a projectile; wherein said transceivertransmits at least one of said audio and video segments to saidmonitoring station.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein saidweapon further comprises at least one sensor mechanism; wherein saidsensor mechanism detects when said weapon fires a projectile andgenerates a signal containing data indicating that said weapon has fireda projectile and when said weapon fired the projectile.
 9. The systemaccording to claim 8, wherein said transceiver transmits said signal tosaid monitoring station.
 10. The system according to claim 8, whereinsaid at least one sensor mechanism comprises a sonic sensor.
 11. Thesystem according to claim 8, wherein said weapon further comprises atrigger mechanism having a trigger; wherein said at least one sensormechanism is electrically coupled to said trigger and said sensormechanism generates said signal when said trigger is pulled.
 12. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein said biometric identifier is afingerprint verification device having a memory for storing digitizedfingerprint images; wherein said fingerprint verification devicegenerates digitized images of fingerprints and compares the generatedimages with the fingerprint images stored in said memory to authorizeuse of said weapon.
 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein saidfingerprint verification device comprises at least one fingerprintscanner on a handle of said weapon.
 14. The system according to claim 1,wherein said trigger mechanism has a trigger and a latch selectivelyengageable with said trigger; wherein said biometric identifier causessaid latch to disengage said trigger when said biometric identifieridentifies the authorized user.
 15. The system according to claim 1,wherein said weapon further comprises at least one sensor mechanism anda trigger mechanism; wherein said trigger mechanism has a trigger andsaid sensor mechanism has a pressure switch located on said trigger;wherein said sensor mechanism generates a signal when a user places afinger on said pressure switch on said trigger.
 16. A system formonitoring use of a weapon, comprising: a monitoring station; and atleast one weapon, wherein said weapon fires a projectile; said weaponincluding a tracking device, wherein said tracking device receivesnavigational data and a transceiver, wherein said transceiver transmitsat least said navigational data to said monitoring station; wherein saidtransceiver transmits identifying information to said monitoringstation; wherein said identifying information includes at least one of aname, an address and a physical description of a user of said weapon.17. An intelligent weapon for firing a projectile, comprising: atracking device, wherein said tracking device receives navigationaldata; a transceiver, wherein said transceiver transmits at least thenavigational data to a monitoring station; a biometric identifier foridentifying a user; and a trigger mechanism; wherein said biometricidentifier enables said trigger mechanism only when said biometricidentifier identifies an authorized user.
 18. The weapon according toclaim 7, wherein said tracking device is a global positioning systemreceiver that receives navigational data from a plurality of globalpositioning system satellites.
 19. The weapon according to claim 17,wherein the navigational data comprises global positioning systemcoordinates, wherein said coordinates includes at least a latitudecoordinate, a longitude coordinate and an altitude coordinate.
 20. Theweapon according to claim 17, further comprising a trigger mechanism;wherein said transceiver receives a disabling signal for disabling saidtrigger mechanism; wherein the disabling signal is selectivelytransmitted from the monitoring station.
 21. The weapon according toclaim 20, wherein said trigger mechanism includes a trigger; wherein thedisabling signal disables said trigger mechanism by causing said triggerto be immobilized.
 22. The weapon according to claim 21, wherein saidtrigger mechanism includes a latch; wherein said latch immobilizes saidtrigger by selectively engaging said trigger.
 23. The weapon accordingto claim 17, further comprising a camera for producing at least one ofan audio segment and a video segment; wherein said camera is activatedwhen said weapon fires a projectile; wherein said transceiver transmitsat least one of the audio and video segments to the monitoring station.24. The weapon according to claim 17, farther comprising at least onesensor mechanism; wherein said sensor mechanism detects when said weaponfires a projectile and generates a signal containing data indicatingthat said weapon has fired a projectile and when said weapon fired theprojectile.
 25. The weapon according to claim 24, wherein saidtransceiver transmits the signal to the monitoring station.
 26. Theweapon according to claim 24, wherein said at least one sensor mechanismcomprises a sonic senior.
 27. The weapon according to claim 24, furthercomprising a trigger mechanism having a trigger; wherein said at leastone sensor mechanism is electrically coupled to said trigger and saidsensor mechanism generating the signal when said trigger is pulled. 28.The weapon according to claim 17, wherein said biometric identifier is afingerprint verification device having a memory for storing digitizedfingerprint images; wherein said fingerprint verification devicegenerates digitized images of fingerprints and compares the generatedimages with the fingerprint images stored in said memory to authorizeuse of said weapon.
 29. The weapon according to claim 28, wherein saidfingerprint verification device comprises ax least one fingerprintscanner on a handle of said weapon.
 30. The weapon according to claim17, wherein said trigger mechanism has a trigger and a latch selectivelyengageable with said trigger; wherein said biometric identifier causessaid latch to disengage said trigger when said biometric identifieridentifies the authorized user.
 31. The weapon according to claim 17,further comprising at least one sensor mechanism and a triggermechanism; wherein said trigger mechanism has a trigger and said sensormechanism has a pressure switch located on said trigger; wherein saidsensor mechanism generates a signal when a user places a finger on saidpressure switch on said trigger.
 32. An intelligent weapon for firing aprojectile, comprising: a tracking device, wherein said tracking devicereceives navigational data; a transceiver, wherein said transceivertransmits at least the navigational data to a monitoring station;wherein said transceiver transmits identifying information to themonitoring station; wherein the identifying information includes atleast one of a name, an address and a physical description of a user ofsaid weapon.